Look out for these wines on shelf and regular reviews in the national media.

2020 vintage wines from leading sustainable New Zealand wine producer, Yealands, are now available in the UK.

 

Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2020 – Co-op, Majestic, Sainsbury’s, Spar

Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020 – Waitrose

Yealands Reserve Grüner Veltliner 2020 – Waitrose

 

This stunning trio of wines is made by Natalie Christensen at Yealands winery, which is Toitū carbon-zero, in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough. Yealands is a sustainable wine producer and a member of International Wineries for Climate Action.

The growing season in 2020 was very dry with some timely light rains. A classic Marlborough autumn with warm days and cool nights ensured fresh natural acidity and intense fruit flavours.

The Sauvignon Blanc was carefully selected from Yealands Awatere Valley and Wairau Valley vineyards and harvested over a period of three weeks. Superior fruit was chosen for the Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. The individual parcels of fruit were gently pressed, clarified and fermented separately using a range of selected yeasts. Long, cool fermentation in stainless steel retained the vibrant, fresh characters.

The Reserve Grüner Veltliner is grown in the Awatere Valley and was picked at optimal ripeness, resulting in a wine with beautiful texture and balance. Destemmed and gently pressed, the free-run juice was left to settle for 72 hours. The clear juice was then racked and fermented in stainless steel using selected yeasts.

Imported by Cheng International – available at drinks merchants, department stores, on-line retailers, bars and restaurants

Featured in major national drinks and lifestyle media

12^th February 2021 is Chinese New Year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Ox.

Celebrate with Fenjiu, one of the finest examples of China’s national drink, baijiu.

 

Fenjiu is a “light aroma” baijiu and considered to be one of the finest examples of the spirit.

Light aroma is one of the three main categories of baijiu, with the other two being strong aroma and sauce aroma. Light aroma baijiu is known for its fragrant and delicate style.

Fenjiu is imported into the UK by Cheng International and can now be bought in the UK from a range of high quality drinks merchants, department stores, on-line retailers and in some premium bars and restaurants:

The Oxford Wine Company 

Slurp

Harvey Nichols – Designer Fashion, Beauty, Food & Wine

Amazon

Harrods UK

Also available from Fortnum & Mason, and from Selfridges in store

 

 

Now you can make your own Fenjiu Chinese New Year cocktail at home. Here’s how:

• Fenjiu Chinese New Year Martini
• 20ml Fenjiu
• 50ml Vodka
• 20ml Dry vermouth infused with fresh ginger and green tea
• 2 drops of orange bitter

Method:

• Stir the ingredients together and strain into a coupette glass
• Garnish with lemon zest

 

Fenjiu comes from Xinghua Village in the North Western Shanxi Province of China, where it has been made for 6,000 years. It is the oldest baijiu in existence. Fenjiu has enormous significance in China and is even featured in one of China’s most well-known poems, studied by all Chinese literature students. Written by the Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Du Mu, the poem describes a shepherd boy sitting on an ox pointing towards Xinghua Village where refreshment can be found.

Fenjiu is still made according to the original recipe using organic sorghum and pure spring water, and by traditional methods, albeit now with the aid of the latest technology. This includes double fermentation and double distillation, ensuring the highest level of purity and flavour.

Baijiu is honoured as “China’s Fifth Invention” and has huge cultural importance in China. It is a unique and distinctive cultural symbol, just like silk, tea, ceramics, martial arts and calligraphy. There are around 6,000 certified baijiu distilleries across China, producing approximately 8 billion litres per year – more than the global annual production of whisky, gin and vodka put together. 99% of baijiu is consumed in China, although exports are growing in markets including the UK.

 

Fenjiu Qing Hua 30 Year Old 48% (Blue Flower) RRP £150

Fenjiu Qing Hua 30 Year Old 53% (Blue Flower) RRP £160

Fenjiu Qing Hua 20 Year Old 42% (Blue Flower) RRP £90

Fenjiu Fen Chiew 10 Year Old 53% RRP £70

Fenjiu Fen Chiew 10 Year Old 45% RRP £65

Fenjiu Xin Li He Fen non-aged 48% RRP £33

Fenjiu Zhu Ye Qing Jiu 30 Year Old 45% (Bamboo) RRP £145

Fenjiu Zhu Ye Qing Jiu 10 Year Old 38% (Bamboo) RRP £70

Fenjiu Zhu Ye Qing Jiu 5 Year Old 38% (Bamboo) RRP £60

Fenjiu Xin Li He Zhu non-aged 45% (Bamboo) RRP £30

 

 

23^rd September 2020

Yealands Wine Group (Yealands) has been awarded a ‘Best in Show’ at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) for its Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2019.  ‘Best in Show’ is the highest accolade in the competition, awarded this year to the top 50 wines out of the 16,518 entered.

 

Now in its seventeenth year it was uncertain whether this year’s competition would go ahead due to imposed restrictions relating to Covid-19, but through the ingenuity of the organisers the DWWA was able to proceed safely and uninterrupted.

Chief Winemaker for Yealands, Natalie Christensen, is excited by the company’s success in this year’s competition.  “We are thrilled to receive a ‘Best in Show’ for our Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc,” says Christensen.  “This was my favourite Sauvignon Blanc that we made in 2019, and it is exciting to hear that this wine was enjoyed by the judges.  The fruit comes from one of our most coastal blocks on the property, and really speaks of our coastal home.  Looking forward to celebrating this fantastic win with the team!”

All medals were announced on Tuesday 22^nd September (BST).  Every wine entered was tasted blind and in flights against its peers (organised by country, region, colour, grape, style, vintage and price).  The wines were first awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold medal, with the Gold medals then reorganised and tasted again with the best awarded a Platinum medal.  The Platinum winners were then tasted one final time by the three Co-Chairs to be assessed for the top accolade: the ‘Best in Show’.

The ‘Best in Show’ Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2019 can be purchased in the UK from The Great Wine Co. at £15.95.

 

Yealands is one of the most coastal vineyards in New Zealand and certainly one of the most dramatic with sweeping views across the Cook Strait.  The Yealands Estate Single Block collection focuses on the most distinct sites on their Seaview Vineyard to create exciting, utterly contrasting expressions of the same varietal.  The L5 Sauvignon Blanc block lies right on the coastline of Seaview Vineyard.  Being exposed to the elements the wine expresses its unique terroir through flavours of wild thyme, citrus and plenty of mineral acidity.

 

Press Release issued on behalf of Yealands Wine Group by: Louise Hill, Phillips-Hill Wine Marketing, PR & Events. For further information: louise@phillips-hill.co.uk tel 07771 683 704

 

Yealands launched in August 2008 with the ambition of becoming a world leader in sustainable wine production. In addition to winning numerous international accolades for the quality of their wines, the company’s innovative approach to sustainable wine production has seen the development of extensive wetlands, native tree plantings, the installation and utilisation of renewable energy initiatives and integrated pest control measures.  They are the first winery in the world to be Toitū carbonzero certified since inception.

In January 2020 Yealands made a commitment to lower its carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2045, and by 50 per cent by 2030 after joining International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), a collective working group committed to tackling the severity of climate change by creating climate leadership in the wine industry.

In just over twelve years the company has established itself as one of New Zealand’s prominent wine producers, exporting to over 65 countries.

With extensive vineyard holdings across the Seaview Peninsula, Awatere Valley and broader Marlborough region, Yealands produces premium quality sustainable wines under the Yealands, Babydoll and The Crossings brands.

Yealands is owned by Marlborough Lines.

 

Baijiu is a white spirit from China, and, with an annual production of more than whisky, gin and vodka put together, baijiu is worth 54% of the global spirits market.

Baijiu is still relatively unknown outside of China, but that is beginning to change, and baijiu is tipped to become a significant spirits category in the UK as spirits drinkers and cocktail lovers seek new, adventurous experiences.

Specialist premium baijiu importer and distributor in the UK, Cheng International, is launching a four-part online masterclass series on baijiu for people involved in the UK drinks trade, to learn what baijiu is, how it is made and how it can complement the ranges of premium spirits retailers and on-trade operators.

The first masterclass, on Monday 13^th July at 3pm is free of charge to join. This masterclass will be an introduction to baijiu, covering the Chinese historical context of baijiu, where and how it is made, and the different styles available. You are invited to join free of charge to gain knowledge of this fascinating drinks category,

To reserve a place please go to the following link: https://bomci.chengintl.co.uk/

 

The next two masterclasses will involve a tutored tasting of two of China’s most famous premium baijiu examples:

Monday 20^th July at 3pm: Fenjiu light aroma baijiu. This is China’s oldest baijiu “brand”, with 6,000 years of history and from the Shanxi province in northern China. Made using only organic sorghum and pure spring water, it is an iconic example of super-premium baijiu. In the UK the retail price for 500ml is £60-£160 across the range.

Monday 27^th July at 3pm: Wuliangye strong aroma baijiu. This exceptional baijiu was first created during the Ming dynasty (early 1300’s) and has the oldest distilling cellars in China. Wuliangye has been declared a “National Intangible Cultural Heritage” in China. In the UK the retail price for Wuliangye for 500ml is £55 to £285 across the range.

If you would like to join either or both of the two tutored tasting sessions above, please book your place and purchase the samples in advance for home delivery, with the option of 3 x 20ml samples for £25, and 5 x 20ml samples for £35. This can all be done via the reservations link: https://bomci.chengintl.co.uk/  For each order of samples, Cheng International will donate £5 to The Drinks Trust charity.

 

The fourth baijiu masterclass in the series on 3^rd August will be free of charge and will cover how to serve baijiu, and baijiu cocktail making.

Full details can be found for all the masterclasses on https://bomci.chengintl.co.uk/

 

Additional Consumer Sessions

In addition to the four-part series on Mondays specifically for the UK drinks trade, Cheng International are running four baijiu lifestyle sessions for consumers on Saturdays 18^th and 25^th July, and 1^st and 8^th August at 3pm, focusing on baijiu cocktails presented by Enrico Gonzato of the Mezzanine Bar at The Stratford Hotel, and baijiu truffle making. Members of the UK drinks trade are, of course, welcome to join these sessions also.

 

Summary of all the Cheng International Baijiu Masterclasses:

TRADE SESSIONS

Monday 13^th July 3pm: Introduction to baijiu – Free of charge to attend

Monday 20^th July 3pm: Fenjiu baijiu with tutored tasting – participants to order samples at £25 or £35

Monday 27th July 3pm: Wuliangye baijiu with tutored tasting – participants to order samples at £25 or £35

Monday 3^rd Aug 3pm: Baijiu culture – how to serve baijiu at the table, matched with food and in cocktails – Free of charge to attend.

 

CONSUMER SESSIONS (TRADE ALSO WELCOME)

Saturday 18^th July 3pm: Baijiu cocktails introduction

Saturday 25^th July 3pm: Fenjiu light aroma baijiu cocktails

Saturday 1^st August 3pm: Wuliangye strong aroma baijiu cocktails

Saturday 8^th August 3pm: Fenjiu light aroma baijiu chocolate truffle making

 

Full details can be found on https://bomci.chengintl.co.uk/

 

Please contact Louise at Phillips-Hill with any questions

 

Phillips-Hill created a lifestyle Press communications campaign to communicate Fenjiu as the perfect Father’s Day gift

May 2020

The world’s most popular spirit, Baijiu, makes the perfect gift for Father’s Day, delivered directly to his door. Father’s Day is the perfect time to say thank you to your Dad and what better way than with a bottle of Fen Chiew by Fenjiu 10 -year-old baijiu – a special Chinese spirit made using the finest natural ingredients from a 6,000-year-old recipe.

Fenjiu is the oldest Chinese baijiu and is still made today according to traditional methods in the Shanxi province of north China using organic sorghum and pure water from the Gouzhuang spring. Double fermentation and double distillation followed by careful blending take place to achieve the highest quality liquor and its distinctive light, delicate style. Fenjiu is matured for between five and 30 years before bottling.

Fen Chiew by Fenjiu 10 -year-old is delicious served with or without food, on its own or over ice. It also makes an excellent base for premium cocktails, like the Fenjiu Orange Charmer, created by The Wine Tipster, Neil Phillips. See the recipe below for this refreshing and zesty summer serve, which is easy to make at home.

Recipe for Fenjiu Orange Charmer Cocktail Serve garnished with a slice of fresh orange

20ml Fen Chiew by Fenjiu 10-year-old 45%

40ml orange liqueur

80ml fresh orange juice

20ml ginger ale

Squeeze of lime juice

 

Fen Chiew by Fenjiu 10-year-old baijiu is available from Selfridges.com priced at £65 per bottle

 

 

 

To celebrate International Sauvignon Blanc Day 2020, Phillips-Hill organised a social media campaign to inform a wide, contemporary consumer audience about Yealands Sauvignon Blanc

May 2020

This Social Media campaign saw influencers and consumer Press, with a combined total following of more than 580,000, posting widely and positively about Yealands Sauvignon Blanc across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The social media achieved included positive comments, photos, videos, blogs, an Instagram Live tasting and a competition to win bottles of the wine. A mention on Talk Sport Radio, with an audience of 150,000, added broadcast exposure to this extremely successful campaign.

Phillips-Hill organised and publicised Instagram Live tasting sessions with drinks expert, Neil Phillips, as part of Cheng International’s social media project, designed to educate people on the famous baijiu spirit. The tastings achieved great visibility, increased interest by UK trade and consumers, and grew followings for both the Fenjiu and Wuliangye brands of baijiu. 

April 2020

Qiqi Chen, Managing Director of Cheng International, said “We are really excited to share this new online series taking people on a journey of the wonderful, but relatively unknown, world of baijiu. In China, baijiu is very much part of everyone’s lives and we want to share its uniqueness and versatility in cocktails and with food with the rest of the world. Fenjiu baijiu is so much more than a drink, it adds elegance and luxury to your life and helps create priceless memories.”

Baijiu is a grain-based Chinese distilled spirit which has 12 different styles grouped by aroma. The oldest baijiu, with over 6000 years history, is Fenjiu, a light aroma baijiu, from Fenyang City in the Shanxi Province of Northern China. Wuliangye is a strong aroma baijiu, which was first created during the Ming Dynasty and comes from the Sichuan province of South West China.

Both are highly prized and luxurious spirits which are now gaining popularity and can be purchased in Harrods, Selfridges, and top London hotels, bars and restaurants including The Stratford Hotel and The Ivy Asia.

 

Phillips-Hill created a Press communications campaign about innovative ways to mark Chinese New Year in London with luxury baijiu brand Fenjiu. This story was covered across consumer luxury lifestyle and trade publications.

February 2020

A Chinese-inspired afternoon tea, bespoke cocktails and delicious Asian menus were amongst 10 different ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in London with Fenjiu – China’s most premium baijiu white spirit.

Fenjiu, which is made using the finest natural ingredients from a 6,000-year-old recipe, partnered with a number of luxury retailers, top restaurants and bars in celebration of the festival that commemorates the beginning of a new year in the traditional Chinese calendar.

In collaboration with some of London’s most exclusive venues, Fenjiu celebrated the Chinese New Year in style. Highlights included afternoon tea at Harrods, Harry Gordon’s Bar takeover in Selfridges, bespoke Fenjiu cocktails at the Bulgari Hotel, Fenjiu-inspired chocolates from William Curley Pâtissier Chocolatier, Fenjiu cocktail menus at the Four Seasons Hotel London and China Tang at The Dorchester, a Fenjiu baijiu selection at The Ivy Asia, and a Fenjiu menu at Park Chinois.

Phillips-Hill created Trade Press communications to support Yealands launch at the event which attracted hundreds of wine Trade and Press commentators. As a result, Yealands was featured widely in the UK trade media and on New Zealand national television.

January 2020

The New Zealand Annual Trade Tasting, the London tasting season’s traditional curtain-raiser, marked the UK debut of very smart new packaging across the range for Yealands Wines. The eye-catching new labels, which reflect the stunning location of Yealands’ Seaview vineyard in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough, are now being rolled out worldwide.

Nina Andrew, General Manager of Marketing for Yealands, explains:

“After in-depth consumer research in our key markets, we are thrilled to unveil to the UK trade our new Yealands branding across our whole Yealands range.  Inspired by our stunning coastal location, our labels capture the proximity of our vines to the ocean on the edge of the Awatere Valley, Marlborough.”

A leader in sustainable wine production, and the first winery in the world to be certified Toitū carbonzero^CertTM since inception, Yealands showed new vintages and some debut appearances at the January tasting in London.

As well as the independent and on-trade focused Yealands Single Vineyard range, and the off-trade focused Yealands range, the winery also showed its limited edition State of Flux Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, both created by Chief Winemaker Natalie Christensen and matured in concrete eggs.

Harriet Kininmonth, Director of Buying at UK Distributor Enotria & Coe, added:

“This is a seriously fantastic evolution of the Yealands brand. They’re in tune with the market and committed to being a relevant and innovative player. What they are doing in terms of sustainability is remarkable, and this packaging captures the essence of Yealands perfectly.”

 

Phillips-Hill supported Yealands latest sustainable move by maximising exposure in the UK of their global media out-reach

January 2020

Yealands becomes one of six wineries to join global group of winemakers that aims to decarbonise wine industry, committing to reducing its carbon emissions by 80% by 2045, and 50% by 2030. Yealands has already reduced its emissions intensity by almost 20 per cent in the past five years.

 

This objective comes as the New Zealand winery joins International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), a collective working group committed to tackling the severity of the climate crisis by creating climate leadership in the wine industry. IWCA has been created as a platform to share best practices in lower-impact winemaking in a bid to urge immediate global action regarding climate change.

 

“Producing world-class wines doesn’t have to be at the expense of the environment,” says Tiffani Graydon, CEO of Yealands Wine Group. “We’re delighted to join IWCA and work collaboratively with other sustainability leaders in the industry to make a global difference, both now and in the future. We hope other winemakers join us, and we’re really happy to share what we’ve learnt. Our industry can play a role in New Zealand’s ambition to move to a low emissions economy by 2050. Our membership is a great opportunity for us to benchmark ourselves against global leaders in the wine industry and this is very powerful.”

 

Since its establishment in 2008, Yealands has been a leading name in the sustainable winemaking industry and continues to strive to be a leader in sustainable wine production. As part of its existing sustainability commitments, the winery uses approximately 25 per cent of multiple renewable energy sources to minimise its environmental footprint. Yealands is the first Toitū carbonzero^CertTM certified winery since inception, and the only winery in New Zealand to currently hold this certification.

 

Yealands Wine Group joins IWCA alongside other leading winemakers from Chile, Portugal, Spain, and the USA. Other IWCA members include the founding wineries Jackson Family Wines (USA) and Familia Torres (Spain), as well as new members Spottswoode Estate (USA), Symington Family Estates (Portugal), and VSPT Wine Group (Chile).

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Phillips-Hill Wine PR & Events

for more information